Device for administering gases



Sept. 22, 1953 R. H. KOZA ET AL DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING GASES FiledMarch 14, 1950 a 7% gvw wilazi Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING GASES Application March 14, 1950,Serial No. 149,532

18 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for administering gases and methods ofmaking the same and has particular relation to improvements in theconstruction and method of manufacture of devices for administering puregases, mixtures of ases, or mixtures of gases and air to persons whoneed such treatment for medical or safety purposes or for their comfortand well being.

Although not limited to any specific field of use, devices of thecharacter referred to herein are especially well suited for theadministering of oxygen or air with an enriched oxygen content topassengers and members of the crew of aircraft to overcome oxygendeficiencies encountered as a result of flight at high altitudes orother causes.

Devices heretofore made and used for these purposes have commonlyemployed a type of construction involving considerable weight, bulk,complexity and resultant expense of manufacture. They are designed forextended periods of use, and at least when offered for the use ofpassengers on commercial air lines they must be sterilized after eachindividual use, which involves very substantial cost of maintenance.This high cost factor and also the weight and bulk of such equipment areparticularly disadvantageous when it becomes necessary to providedevices of this character for a large number of persons traveling onaircraft in commercial or other service.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved formof device for adminis-.- tering gases which shall be particularly lightand compact.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-indicated character which shall be convenient and comfortable touse and attractive in appearance but which shall nevertheless be highlyefficient in its operation.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-indicated character including improved means for effecting closefitting of the face piece over the nose and mouth of the wearer,regardless of the facial shape or size to be fitted.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved methodof manufacturing devices of the above-identified character frominexpensive materials, whereby the said devices may be readily producedin any desired quantities at very low costso low, in fact, that it willbe economically practicable to dispose of each device after a single usethereof, thereby eliminating all maintenance cost for sterilization andhandlin incidental to reuse.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages,and features thereof wlll appear from the following detailed descriptionhaving reference to the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is afront view of an oxygen mask or the like embodying the invention, asapplied to the face of a wearer;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a partially formed blank from which the deviceshown in Fig. 1 may be made;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View showing the completed device ingreater detail and in its normally fiat condition before being put intouse; and

Fig. 4 is a side view showing the same device in use by a wearer, thestructure of the device being shown in cross section taken alon the line4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen from Figs. 1 and 4 that themask when in use covers the mouth and lower parts of the nose and faceof the wearer, the upper edge of the device extending across the bridgeof the nose and the lower forward parts of the cheeks, and the loweredge of the device extending around and under the chin.

The mask construction as illustrated may be made from a blank initiallyformed as shown in Fig. 2. This blank comprises a main body portion H,which, when distended, is of seamless or other tubular form. Thematerial of the blank is thin, flexible, soft, and of very light weightand is preferably substantially impervious to the passage of gases atlow pressures. materials which may be made in this form are well suitedfor the use and also have desirable characteristics from themanufacturing standpoint. Materials such as cellophane, Pliofilm,polyethylene, and polyvinylchloride are examples of suitable materials.The thickness of the material may be on the order of one to threethousandths of an inch but is not critical as long as a reasonabledegree of strength is provided.

The blanks may be cut from continuous lengths of tubing supplied incollapsed or flat-folded condition, the end cuts being made alongsuitable lines to provide the desired contour of the elements of thefinished mask. As shown in Fig. 2, the end of the blank which is tobecome the bottom of the finished mask is cut off on a more or lessarcuate line to provide a substantially segmerit-shaped bottom portionl2, and the upper end of the blank is out off al n int s ting angularlines to provide a triangular upper por- Thermoplastic I tion I3. Afterbeing thus cut to size, the blank is perforated through the rear wallonly thereof to provide openings I4 as shown in Fig. 2, for a purpose tobe described.

The front and rear walls of the blank are then sealed together along theupper edges thereof by localized application of heat and pressure,suitable adhesive, or the like, to form a top seam I3 The blank thusbecomes an envelope-like member as shown in Fig. 2. The upper endportion I3 of the blank, together with a short length of the bodyportion II if desired, is then turned inside out and folded back withinthe main body portion II to provide an inner member of envelope-likeform constituting a face piece. The latter relatively smaller memberforms a closure for the upper end of the relatively larger main bodyportion II but is itself left open along its upper edge so that it maybe fitted over the face of a user.

Within the fold of material along the front wall of the constructionthere is provided a pliable member IS in the form of a light strip ofsoft aluminum or the like. A securing band H in the form of an elasticcord or the like has a portion of its length similarly enclosed withinthe mold of material along the rear side of the mask construction, thisband also having an outwardly extending loop portion adapted to encirclethe head of the wearer of the mask. This band preferably extends throughholes IIi provided in the pliable member I6 adjacent the respective endsthereof or at other desirable points of attachment, and also passesthrough corresponding perforations provided in the front wall of themask material. The passing of the band through the holes in the pliablemember protects the material of the mask against tearing as a result oftension applied to the band, while insuring that the band will draw theentire opening of the face piece snugly over the wearers face.

The pliable member I6 and part of the length of the securing band H areinserted within the folds of the mask material while the blank is stillopen at its lower end. Thereafter, the two wall thicknesses of thematerial enveloping the inserted members are preferably fused'togetherby application of heat and pressure to strips or spots adjacent thelower edges of said members, as indicated at I8 in Figs. 3 and 4, and I9in Fig. 4. The enclosed portion of the securing band is, however, leftfree to slide within the fold of material enveloping the same so thatthe material may be gathered along this portion of the bands length toaccommodate closed fitting of the mask under the wearers chin.

After the end portion I3 of the blank has been folded inside of the mainbody portion I I thereof to form the face piece as previously described,openings 20 are made through both thicknesses of material at the frontof the structure to vent the interior of the face piece to the outeratmosphere. The two thicknesses of material around the openings 20 aresecured together, preferably by application of heat and pressure to thislocalized area, as best shown at 2| in Fig. 3. This may be done in thesame operation in which the openings 20 are formed, or the two steps maybe carried out in immediate succession, and in any case the securing ofthe double thicknesses of the front wall together at I8 and 2I may bevery readily accomplished in a single operation.

The front and rear walls of the blank are also sealed together along thelower edges thereof after the pliable member IS and the securing band I!have been put in place. This produces a bottom seam I2 which is formedto embrace an inlet tube I5, also preferably made of thermoplasticmaterial. The tube I5 is sealed between the two thicknesses of materialforming the outer Walls of the mask and provides for delivery of oxygenor other gas or mixture to the space enclosed thereby. The formation ofthe seam I2 and sealing of the tube I5 therein may, if desired, becarried out simultaneously with the securing of the differentthicknesses of material together at any or all of the spots I8, I9 and2I.

It willbe seen that when the formation of the construction is completedthe device comprises essentially two nested envelope-like parts made ofan integral piece of material. The outer one of these parts, consistingof the main body portion I I or a major portion thereof and the lowerend portion I2, constitutes a rebreather bag. The upper portion I3, andif desired, a minor portion of the main body portion II folded backinside of the major part of said main body portion, constitute a facepiece. The two envelope portions may be made in any desired shapes, butthe forms shown and described herein are advantageous from thestandpoint of avoiding condensation of moisture within the mask while itis in use.

When the device is to be put into use, the upper edges of the face pieceare spread apart and the opening thus formed is placed over the nose andmouth of the wearer while the securing band I! is placed over thewearers head, either over or under the ears, to secure the device inoperative position. The pliable member I6 is then bent manually toconform to the bridge of the nose and over the cheek bones of the wearerso that the upper part of the face piece is brought into close-fittingrelation with the wearers face. At the same time the lower part of saidface piece is drawn into similar closely fitting relation by thesecuring band I! passing under and around the wearers chin through thefold of material at the bottom edge of the opening in the face piece. Asubstantially gas-tight seal is thus effected between the edges of theface piece at the open side thereof and the wearers face, the mouth andnostrils being completely covered.

Oxygen or other gas or gaseous mixture to be administered to the weareris supplied to the interior of the rebreather bag I I, I2 through theinlet tube I5, which will, of course, be connected through suitabletubing to an appropriate source of supply (not shown). During exhalationby the user of the mask, an initial portion of the air exhaled alsopasses into the rebreather bag through the opening I4 connecting thesame with the interior of the face piece I3, and the rebreather bag isthus filled with a combination of initially exhaled air and freshoxygen. These components are mixed together in the rebreather bag, whichis gently distended as it is filled during the exhalation. The oxygenis, of course, supplied at low pressure and at a suitably regulated rateof flow so that the proper proportions are obtained in the mixturecreated therein. That part of the mixture which is derived from theexhalation of the user is relatively rich in oxygen because it has notbeen inhaled very deeply, and accordingly is suitable for mixing withthe fresh gas supply to make a proper breathing mixture.

During inhalation by the user the mixture is drawn from the rebreatherbag into the face piece through the connecting openings I4 and is theninhaled, along with an admixed portion of outer air taken into the facepiece at the same time through the venting openings 20. The rebreatherbag is more or less collapsed by the time the inhalation is completed,and is ready to be refilled with the next charge of breathing mixture. I

At the beginning of the next exhalation the escape thereof through theventing openings 20 is retarded because these openings are relativelysmall, and consequently the rebreather bag is distended by an initialportion of the exhalation and the concurrent inflow of oxygen throughthe tube l5. Thereafter the remainder of the expelled breath passesthrough the openings 20 to the outer atmosphere. This portion of theexhalation comprises what remains from the air or mixture that wasbreathed most deeply and therefore has the lowest proportion of oxygenremaining therein, so that it is of little or no value for rebreathing.It also includes considerable absorbed moisture which it is desirable toeliminate from the rebreathing mixture.

It will be understood, of course, that the mask will continue tofunction in the above manner as long as its use may be desired and thesupply of gas to be administered is maintained, the described actionbeing repeated during each breathing cycle.

' The elements of the mask are of such size and are sorelativelyproportioned that any desired mixture of supplied gas, initially exhaledair, and outer airare provided for each inhalation, and the openings Itand 20 are also of such relative size and are so positioned that theproper flow in both directions therethrough is obtained. It will beobserved in this connection that the openings [4 are approximately belowand in line with the nostrils when the mask is in operative position andthat the openings 20 are located relatively close to the nostrils. Whilethe sizes and locations of the openings and the'volumetric capacities ofthe rebreather bag and the face piece are not precisely critical, it maybe stated that for average use the rebreather bag in distended conditionmay have a volumetric capacity of approximately 550 cubic centimeters.The face piece of most eflicient design will have the smallest possibleinternal volume which can be tolerated by the face, and in theconstruction illustrated herein may enclose a space over the ,usersmouth and nose of approximately 180 cubic centimeters. When the elementsof the mask are made in approximately these volumetric proportions, theopenings l4 may suitably have an aggregate area on the order of two orthree square centimeters, and the aggregate area of the openings 20 maybe on the order of one-half to one and one-half square centimeters. Allof these dimensions and proportions are, however, subject to variationover reasonably wide ranges, and in particular the aggregate areas ofthe openings may vary somewhat according to the number of openingsprovided in each case.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention providesan effective device for administering gases which is extremely light,

compact, and economical to the point of per mitting use as a disposabledevice, thus obviating the serious disadvantages of the heavy,cumbersome, and expensive devices now commonly used for similarpurposes. An important advantage lies in the fact that a single size ofmask of the type provided by the present invention is readily adapted tofit any size and shape of face, so that it is suitable for use byanyone, men, women 'and children alike, whereas it has been necessaryheretofore, with masks hav ing rigid face pieces, to provide differentsizes of masks to fit different persons.

While only one specific embodiment of the invention has been illustratedand described herein, it will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails of design and mode of construction thereof without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be seecured by Letters Patent,therefore, is:

l. A device for administering gases compris ing a face piece and arebreather bag both made of thin, flexible material substantiallyimpervious to the passage of gases at low pressures, said face piecebeing in the form of an envelope having one side thereof open andadapted to conform to the nose, face and chin of the wearer and to coverthe mouth and nostrils, said rebreather bag being in the form of alarger envelope enclosing said face piece and joining therewith at theedges of the open side thereof, said rebreather bag being provided withmeans for admitting a gas thereto from a source of supply, a wall ofsaid face piece having an opening of predetermined size therethroughcommunicating with the interior of said rebreather bag to permit passageof gases between the latter and the interior of said face piece, andwall portions of said face piece and said rebreather bag lying adiacenteach other having registering openings of predetermined sizetherethrough to permit passage of gases between the interior of saidface piece and the outer atmosphere.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which the said adjacent wall portions ofsaid face piece and rebreather bag are sealed together around saidregistering openings.

3. A device as in claim 1 having a pliable member extending along anedge portion of the open side of said face piece, substantially at themarginal edge thereof and adapted to be bent to conform to the nose andadjacent facial parts of the wearer.

4. A device as in claim 1 having a securing band extending along an edgeportion of the open side of said face piece and outwardly therefrom, theoutwardly extending portions of said band being adapted to encircle thehead of the wearer to secure the device in operative position and todraw the said edge portion of the face piece into closely fittingengagement under the chin.

5. A device as in claim 1 having a pliable member extending along anupper edge portion of the open side of said face piece and adapted to bebent to conform to the nose and adjacent facial parts of the wearer, anda securing band extending along a lower edge portion of the said openside of said face piece and outwardly therefrom, the outwardly extendingportions of said band being adapted to encircle the head of the wearerto secure the device in operative position and to draw the said upperedge portion of the face piece into closely fitting engagement over thenose and adjacent facial parts and the said lower edge portion intoclosely fitting engagement under the chin.

6. A device as in claim 1 in which the said face piece and rebreatherbag are formed from an integral piece of material, the portions thereofforming the face piece being folded inside of the portions forming therebreather bag.

7. A device as in claim '1 in which the said face piece and rebreatherbag are integrally formed from a tubular blank having its side wallssealed together at each end thereof, one end portion thereof beingfolded back within a larger body portion thereof, which latter portionconstitutes said rebreather bag and said inwardly folded portionconstitutes said face piece.

8. A device as in claim 1 in which the said face piece and rebreatherbag are integrally formed from a tubular blank having its side wallssealed together at each end thereof, one end portion thereof beingfolded back within a larger body portion thereof, which latter portionconstitutes said rebreather bag and said inwardly folded portionconstitutes said face piece, said device further comprising a pliablemember lying within the fold of material between said portions andextending along part of the edge of the open side of said face piece andadapted to be bent to conform to the nose and adjacent facial parts ofthe wearer.

9. A device as in claim 1 in which the said face piece and rebreatherbag are integrally formed from a tubular blank having its side wallssealed together at each end thereof, one end portion thereof beingfolded back within a larger body portion thereof, which latter portionconstitutes said rebreather bag and said inwardly folded portionconstitutes said face piece, said device further comprising a securingband having part of its length lying within the fold of material betweensaid portions and extending along part of the edge of the open side ofsaid face piece and outwardly therefrom, the outwardly extendingportions of said band being adapted to encircle the head of the wearerto secure the device in operative position and to draw the said part ofthe edge of the face piece into closely fitting engagement under thechin.

10. A device as in claim 1 in which the said face piece and rebreatherbag are integrally formed from a tubular blank having its side wallssealed together at each end thereof, one end portion thereof beingfolded back within a larger body portion thereof, which latter portionconstitutes said rebreather bag and said inwardly folded portionconstitutes said face piece, said device further comprising a pliablemember lying within the fold of material between said portions andextending along an upper part of the edge of the open side of said facepiece and adapted to be bent to conform to the nose and adjacent facialparts of the wearer, and a securing band having part of its length lyingwithin the said fold of material and extending along a lower part of theedge of the said open side of said face piece and outwardly therefrom,the outwardly extending portions of said band being adapted to encirclethe head of the wearer to secure the device in operative position and todraw the said upper part of the edge of the face piece into closelyfitting engagement over the nose and adjacent facial parts and the saidlower part of the edge into closely fitting engagement under the chin.

11. A device for administering gases comprising two nested envelope-likeparts made of an integral piece of flexible material, the inner one ofsaid parts being folded back within the outer one, leaving a substantialamount of unfilled space between said parts to constitute a rebreatherbag, said inner part constituting a face piece and having one sidethereof open and adapted to conform to the nose, face and. chin of thewearer and to cover the mouth and nostrils, and said inner part havingan orifice therethrough providing for restricted flow of gases betweensaid rebreather bag and the interior of said face piece.

12. A device as in claim 11 having a pliable member extending along anedge portion of the open side of said face piece and adapted to be bentto conform to the nose and adjacent facial parts of the wearer.

13. A device as in claim 11 having a securing band extending along anedge portion of the open side of said face piece and outwardlytherefrom, the outwardly extending portions of said band being adaptedto encircle the head of the wearer to secure the device in operativeposition and to draw the said edge portion of the face piece intoclosely fitting engagement under the chin.

14. A device as in claim 11 having a pliable member extending along anupper edge portion of the open side of said face piece and adapted to bebent to conform to the nose and adjacent facial parts of the wearer, anda securing band extending along a lower edge portion of the said openside of said face piece and outwardly therefrom, the outwardly extendingportions of said band being adapted to encircle the head of the wearerto secure the device in operative position and to draw the said upperedge portion of the face piece into closely fitting engagement over thenose and adjacent facial parts and the said lower edge portion intoclosely fitting engagement under the chin.

1-5. A device for administering gases comprising a face piece and arebreather bag both made of thin, flexible material substantiallyimpervious to the passage of gases at low pressures, said face piecebeing in the form of an envelope having one side thereof open andadapted to conform to the nose, face and chin of the wearer and to coverthe mouth and nostrils, said rebreather ba being in the form of a closedenvelope connected to said face piece and defining an internal spaceessentially separate from that of said face piece, said rebreather bagbeing provided with means for admitting a gas thereto from a source ofsupply and having communication with the interior of said face piecethrough an interconnecting opening of predetermined size to permitpassage of gases between said rebreather bag and the interior of saidface piece,- and a, wall portion of said face piece having an opening ofpredetermined size therethrough communicating with the outer atmosphereto permit passage of gases between the interior of said face piece andthe outer atmosphere.

16. A device as in claim 15 having a pliable member extending along anedge portion of the open side of said face piece, substantially at themarginal edge thereof, and adapted to be bent to conform to the nose andadjacent facial parts of the wearer.

17. A device as in claim 15 having a securing band extending along anedge portion of the open side of said face piece and outwardlytherefrom, the outwardly extending portions of said band being adaptedto encircle the head of the wearer to secure the device in operativeposition and to draw the said edge portion of the face piece intoclosely fitting engagement under the chin.

18. A device as in claim 15 having a pliable member extending along anupper edge portion of the open side of said face piece and adapted to bebent to conform to the nose and adjacent facial parts of the wearer, anda securing band extendin along a lower edge portion of the said wearerto secure the device in operative position and to draw the said upperedge portion of the face piece into closely fitting engagement over thenose and adjacent facial parts and the said lower edge portion intoclosely fitting engagement under the chin.

RALPH H. KOZA. WILLIS M. STOCKAM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,248,477 Lombard July 8, 1941 2,321,256 Shelton Jan. 8, 19432,371,965 Lehmberg Mar, 20, 1945

